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The AI Divide in Tourism: How Big Data Is Leaving Small Operators Behind
The AI Divide in Tourism: How Big Data Is Leaving Small Operators Behind Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are transforming the tourism industry. From predictive demand modeling and dynamic pricing to personalized marketing and operational efficiency, AI tools offer unprecedented opportunities for destinations and businesses to optimize revenue and enhance visitor experiences. However, these benefits are not equally accessible. A growing divide is emerging between large corporations and small operators, as well as between major platforms and local destinations. The Struggle for Smaller Operators Small operators, such as boutique hotels, regional tour operators, and lesser-known destinations, often lack access to these tools. Investing in AI requires both capital and specialized expertise—resources that many smaller players simply do not have. As João Romão stated in Episode 22 of the High-Yield Tourism Podcast, “This creates a widening gap in tourism, where larger actors dominate while smaller destinations and operators are left
Introducing The Strength-based Strategy Framework To Drive High-Yield Tourism
Introducing The Strength-based Strategy Framework To Drive High-Yield Tourism How an Adapted Business Model Is Revolutionizing Destination Planning: From Volume to Value soar /sɔː/verb: achieving new heights; to rise very quickly to a high level A New Lens for Tourism Planning: The SOAR Approach When Jacqueline Stavros and Gina Hinrichs introduced the SOAR model in 2009, their goal was to move strategy conversations from problem-finding to possibility-seeking to address a fundamental challenge in organizational development: how do you create strategies that build on strengths rather than simply fixing weaknesses? Fast-forward to 2025, and destinations worldwide are grappling with remarkably similar questions. How do we move beyond chasing visitor numbers toward creating meaningful value? How do we turn tourism into a genuine force for good? After two decades working with destinations worldwide, I’ve observed how traditional planning frameworks, while valuable, often focus significant energy on problems rather than possibilities. SWOT analysis
Beyond Boom and Bust: Rethinking Tourism Policy for Sustainable Growth
Beyond Boom and Bust: Rethinking Tourism Policy for Sustainable Growth Tourism is often hailed as a key driver of economic
6 Reasons Why Western Australia Excels at Self-Drive Tourism
6 Reasons Why Western Australia Excels at Self-Drive Tourism Gary Bowerman reflects how ‘WA’ – self-titled as ‘Home of the
Cultural Fighting as a Passion Tourism Micro-Niche: Unlocking High-Yield Traveler Engagement
Cultural Fighting as a Passion Tourism Micro-Niche: Unlocking High-Yield Traveler Engagement The economics of martial arts tourism present a compelling
Beyond High-Value: Why High-Yield Tourism Changes Everything
Beyond High-Value: Why High-Yield Tourism Changes Everything Recently, I have been seeing the term “High-Yield Tourism / High-Yield Travelers” increasingly
Diaspora, Edutourism & Slow Travel: Family Trends Shaping High-Yield Tourism
Diaspora, Edutourism & Slow Travel: Family Trends Shaping High-Yield Tourism Family travel has evolved beyond affordability and routine destinations. In
Gary Bowerman on Malaysia’s Readiness To Accommodate Digital Nomads?
Malaysia’s Digital Nomad Moment: Insights from Gary Bowerman on BFM 89.9 On a recent episode of BFM 89.9’s “Enterprise Explorers,” host Richard Bradbury interviewed Gary Bowerman, Co-Founder of High-Yield Tourism. They discussed a transformative trend in global mobility and local economies: the rise of the digital nomad and its implications
Gary Bowerman @ Halal in Travel Global Summit 2025
Unlocking High-Yield Potential: Muslim Travelers as a Premium Market at HIT Global Summit 2025 To find out how High-Yield Tourism can support you, understand high-yield travel segments and trends. At the Halal in Travel Global Summit 2025 in Singapore, High-Yield Tourism led an important discussion on one of the most
Diversifying Asia’s Tourism Future: Insights from the Skift Asia Forum
Diversifying Asia’s Tourism Future: Insights from the Skift Asia Forum At the recent Skift Asia Forum in Bangkok, the panel “Diversifying Asia’s Tourism Future” brought together leading voices to examine the shifts redefining travel across the Asia-Pacific region. The panel featured Fazal Bahardeen (CEO, CrescentRating & HalalTrip), Hannah Pearson (Founder,
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Overtourism and Destination Management
Overtourism and Destination Management: A Global Challenge As global travel continues to grow, a persistent issue is putting pressure on some of the world’s most celebrated destinations: overtourism. From the
Igniting Travel Passions: How to Surpass the Expectations of High-Yield Travelers
Igniting Travel Passions: How to Surpass the Expectations of High-Yield Travelers In today’s rapidly evolving tourism landscape, one essential factor is often overlooked: passion. High-yield travelers, the select group who
Breaking the Mold: Crafting Distinctive Tourism Marketing Campaigns
Breaking the Mold: Crafting Distinctive Tourism Marketing Campaigns In today’s digital world, travelers are bombarded with endless choices, and destinations are fighting to capture their attention. With so many options,
Beyond the Crowds: How to Ensure Tourism Benefits Local Communities
Beyond the Crowds: How to Ensure Tourism Benefits Local Communities Tourism success has been measured by the number of visitors a destination attracts annually for years. However, this focus on
Breaking Free from Quick-Win Pressures in Tourism
Breaking Free from Quick-Win Pressures in Tourism The Challenge: Short-Term Pressures vs. Long-Term Gains In the tourism industry, destinations are constantly grappling with the pressure to deliver immediate results. Politicians,
Unlocking High-Yield Tourism: The Power of Smart Segmentation
Unlocking High-Yield Tourism: The Power of Smart Segmentation The Challenge: Sub-Par Segmentation in Tourism Many destinations pour substantial resources into marketing, aiming to boost visitor numbers. However, despite this investment,
Rethinking Your Tourism Partner Network for High-Yield Growth
Rethinking Your Tourism Partner Network for High-Yield Growth Are Your Travel Partners Delivering High-Value Visitors? Many destinations rely on traditional travel agents and OTAs to boost visitor numbers. While these
The High-Yield Tourism Game Plan: Unlocking Sustainable Growth
The High-Yield Tourism Game Plan: Unlocking Sustainable Growth The Challenge: No Clear Strategy for High-Yield Tourism High-yield tourism has emerged as a vital strategy for destinations around the world, offering
Maximizing Tourism Marketing ROI: Proving Value and Driving Growth
Maximizing Tourism Marketing ROI: Proving Value and Driving Growth The Growing Challenge: Measuring Tourism Marketing Impact Around the world, tourism destinations are pouring millions into marketing campaigns, from glossy social
Maximizing Tourism Revenue: Ensuring Local Communities Benefit
Maximizing Tourism Revenue: Ensuring Local Communities Benefit Is Your Destination Benefiting from Tourism Revenue? Tourism is often celebrated as an economic engine for destinations worldwide. Visitor arrivals are counted and